This is the sixth year that “Team Lawmakers,” comprised of members of Congress, federal staffers and campaign committee operatives, will cross hockey sticks with “Team Lobbyists.”

The record headed into Wednesday is 3-2, in favor of the Team Lobbyists.

The game will take place at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington. It’s just a few blocks off from the Ballston Metro. You can buy your $10 tickets here. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the puck drops at 7 p.m.

It all started in back in 2009, with a group of lobbyists and Hill staffers who played informal Monday night pickup hockey.

They eventually decided to channel their enthusiasm for the sport into a charity game modeled after the Congressional Baseball Game. Hence, the Congressional Hockey Challenge was born and it supported the Fort Dupont Hockey Club, a youth hockey group in Southeast Washington.

Illinois Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley is quite boastful about the fact that, over the course of his 48-year hockey career, he lost two teeth and has had six injury-induced surgeries.

Indiana Republican Rep. Larry Bucshon has similar wounds. Bucshon picked up the game late in life, thanks to his son’s interest. He missed the 2012 season due to a practice injury.

“I tore my left ACL in the second practice before the game two years ago,” he said. “I had to have surgery to fix it.”

Bucshon also marveled at the the cordial relationships that developed on his team.

“It’s a good event where partisanship isn’t the issue,” Bucshon said.

This year, the Team Lawmakers roster expanded to include members of the Canadian Parliament. The hope is to expand the concept internationally.

The biggest “bummer” in recent years, according to one of the Republican players, is Secretary of State John Kerry’s ascension to the Cabinet. As a senator, Kerry was the undisputed star and brought a great deal of attention to the game, but his teammates attest to authentic athletic skill.

“We miss John Kerry. … I respect the fact that he had a couple of replacement surgeries and he’s still out there. He showed up to staff meetings with bruises and stitches,” Quigley said. “It’s his fault he took the job. As postmaster general, he could play the game.”

But since he joined the Cabinet, his hockey availability is basically dependent on world peace.